Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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102. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to what extent householders and farmers, twenty families in total, in the Lough Funshinagh, who are seriously disadvantaged by local flooding and road closures, can be compensated given their inability to carry out their normal daily functions (details supplied); whether some means can be found to ensure that such objections can be dealt with before more hardship occurs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46026/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I have met with the families and have seen at first hand the impact flooding at Lough Funshinagh has had on their daily lives and livelihoods.

In my capacity as Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, I, together with my Office of Public Works (OPW), officials have been meeting intensively with Roscommon County Council, state bodies and engineering and environmental consultants during summer 2024 to progress the interim plan and works for Lough Funshinagh which included seeking planning consent from An Bord Pleanála for the Curraghboy temporary pipeline and pumping solution ahead of this winter. The necessary work has been completed and Roscommon County Council submitted this planning application to An Bord Pleanála on Friday 20th September.

Roscommon County Council has finalised its initial contract arrangements with a specialist Dutch pumping company for procurement of specialist pipes and pumping equipment, so that if the temporary solution is given consent, temporary pumping could start within weeks of a planning decision.

In addition, the OPW has approved once off funding to Roscommon County Council to replace the existing roadside barriers with more resilient mitigation measures and these works will commence in the coming weeks.

The work to complete the necessary planning consent application for the permanent solution is continuing and will be the subject of a further and separate planning application.

I am aware that Roscommon County Council is engaging with multiple agencies in its response to the ongoing flood event at Lough Funshinagh and any compensation for impacted families, including from road closures, would not be a matter for the Office of Public Works and would fall to the responsibility of the appropriate Department and Minister to consider having regard to the nature of the compensation being sought.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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103. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current position regarding the Mountmellick flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46064/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the implementation of Ireland’s national flood policy, which includes the development of a planned programme of feasible works for flood relief schemes.

In 2018, to facilitate the development of a programme of works, the OPW completed a strategic study - the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM programme resulted in the publication of 29 Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), which identified and described the flood risk in various river basins (including the Barrow River Basin and the town of Mountmellick) and potentially viable flood relief works.

To facilitate the progression of potentially viable flood relief works in Mountmellick, Laois County Council (LCC) agreed, with the support of the OPW, to lead the further detailed assessment of the flood risk, design options and environmental assessments to support a planning application for a viable scheme. Additionally, LCC engaged the services of an engineering consultant to facilitate the progression of the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme.

The Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme is currently approaching the end of Stage One (Scheme Development and Preliminary Design) with the selection of a preferred option identified, which involves flood defences such as embankments, walls, culvert upgrades and a bridge replacement over the Owenass River that will provide protection to 129 properties against flooding. The preferred option was selected based on a range of criteria including economic, environmental and ecological impact, climate change adaptability and consideration of the feedback which arose during the public and stakeholder consultation process.

The scheme’s Option Report and Environmental Impact Assessment Report along with the other planning documents are now substantially complete. An additional report to analyse local residents concerns is also nearing completion. Subject to the completion of the relevant documentation, it is currently envisaged that an application for planning consent for the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála under Part 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended prior to the end of Q4 2024. Subject to planning consent, and following a period for detailed design, construction is to begin in 2026, while targeting an ambitious 2027, substantial completion is likely no earlier than 2028, subject to seasonal work restrictions.